New moms have concerns about feeding their babies, Playtex finds

SHELTON, Conn. A recent national survey commissioned by Playtex revealed that 85% of first-time moms have experienced at least one feeding-related problem when caring for their new babies.

“Moms spend more time feeding their babies than any other interaction during the first year,” stated William Sears, pediatrician and Playtex spokesman. “Feeding a baby is more than simply a means of providing nutrition, it’s an important bonding moment. This bonding time can be interrupted by stress and anxiety when new parents encounter feeding complications.”

Challenges, problems and questions of new moms revealed by the survey included:

While first-time moms feel that feeding their baby is an important and enjoyable activity, nearly half of those surveyed (43%) confessed that feeding was a challenge they faced in caring for their new baby;

Nearly half of first-time moms (49%) cited gas as their top feeding problem, followed by difficulty breast-feeding (37%), fussiness or difficulty feeding (33%) and problems latching or sucking (32%). The majority of moms surveyed (70%) share a common problem in determining whether or not their baby is eating enough during feedings;

As many as 86% of survey respondents agreed time spent feeding their baby is an important bonding moment. In addition, nearly one in four moms (24%) said feeding was their favorite bonding moment during their daily routine; and

According to the survey, more than half of first-time moms (56%) ask feeding-related questions during their regular pediatrician appointments; with more than 1-in-4 (26%) doing so at every visit.

To help educate moms around breast feeding, and to offer helpful tips, Playtex has created an online resource at www.playtexbaby.com. “To help educate new moms and encourage further awareness of feeding challenges, Playtex, with our pediatric partners, has developed tips that will provide the solutions parents need to enjoy feeding moments with their baby,” noted Jon Jager, senior brand manager, Playex Infant Care.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. Upsher-Smith on Monday announced the launch of Slo-Niacin.com, an information portal for cholesterol management.

The site educates visitors about heart disease and includes "Cholesterol Basics," a guide to interpreting cholesterol levels and facts about common heart disease risk factors. The website also reviews recommendations on how to optimize cholesterol management, along with tips to leading a healthy lifestyle, including fitness, nutrition and how the integration of a supplement containing nicotinic acid, like the company’s Slo-Niacin brand, can support overall heart health.

"We know how important it is to be informed when it comes to managing overall heart health," stated Tina Fehr, product manager for Slo-Niacin. "The new website gives visitors easy access to credible information about cholesterol management, along with an improved store locator for the ultimate convenience on where to buy Slo-Niacin and how to obtain … coupons."

Cigarette use among high school students on slow decline

ATLANTA As many as 1-in-5 high school students are still smoking, according to a report published last week in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Current cigarette use among high school students nationwide began to decline in the late 1990s, but the rate of decline slowed from 2003 to 2009. Since 2003, the rate of decline in current cigarette use slowed or leveled off for all of the racial/ethnic — white, Hispanic, and black — and gender subgroups, except black female students for whom rates of current cigarette use showed no slowing or leveling off after 1999.

Because of this slower rate of decline, the United States has not met its national 2010 health objective of reducing cigarette use among high school students to 16% or less. “Although 4-of-5 don’t smoke, it’s discouraging to see that current smoking did not continue to decline more rapidly among youth,” stated CDC director Thomas Frieden. “Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in this country, and 9-out-of-10 adults started smoking in their teens or earlier. The slow progress since 2003 tells us that much more needs to be done to reduce youth smoking.”

The report found that the percentage of students who reported current cigarette use increased from 27.5% in 1991 to 36.4% in 1997, declined sharply to 21.9% in 2003, and declined more gradually to 19.5% in 2009.

Effective strategies to address cigarette smoking by young people include expanded counter-advertising mass media campaigns; reduction to tobacco advertising, promotions and availability of tobacco products; tobacco-free environments; programs that promote changes in school norms and higher tobacco prices through state excise tax increases, the CDC suggested.

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